“Zora Is My Name!”
Simple yet elegant; that short description embodies the Bonstelle Theatre’s production of “Zora Is My Name!” This play, adapted by award-winning actress Ruby Dee from the stories of Harlem Renaissance icon Zora Neal Hurston, is a mix of African-American folklore interspersed throughout tales of Zora’s early life.
Director Aku Kadogo’s vision and the actors’ genuine fervor combine to produce a charming theatrical production. The cast, although composed only of a few actors, works well together. The actors maintain a level of vivacity comparable to that of professional theatre companies.
The colorful costumes by graduate student Christa Koerner blend well with the simple scenic design of graduate student Xiaopo Wang. The two elements are further enhanced by the beautiful lighting designed by guest artist Mark Allen Berg of the University of Michigan. The end result is a thoroughly engaging production that grabs the audience’s attention from start to finish.
While the adult Zora (graduate theater student Safiya Johnson) tells the story of her days as a young girl, a cast of characters from her childhood, including her family, come to life. They remind the audience of old African-American folktales through stylized and humorous re-enactments of stories that might have been long lost had it not been for Zora’s efforts to record them all.
How did Man get more physical strength than Woman, and what did Woman do in order to rectify that situation? What’s the story behind thunder and lighting? There is an explanation in African-American folklore for all of these things, and Zora spent a portion of her life traveling through the American South to collect them. She also collected recordings of folksongs from several churches in the South. Many of these stories and songs are presented in the show.
“Zora Is My Name!” plays at the Bonstelle Theatre Feb. 27 - 28 and March 1.
“All My Sons”
Just as the overtly re-imagined version of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” closes on Broadway, a more authentic presentation of the classic play opens at the Hilberry Theatre.
The play, presented in three acts, first opened on Broadway in 1947 and has since received many revivals, including two film adaptations.
The story follows the Keller family, a seemingly perfect, happy American family living the American dream. The play begins in the summer of 1946, following critical events that occurred during World War II and shortly after that, which are revealed throughout the play.
Joe Keller (Brian Sage) lives a prosperous life with his wife Kate (Samantha Rosentrater) and son Chris (Aaron Kirby).
Joe had been jailed and subsequently released after he was cleared of charges that involved the death of 21 pilots whose planes contained defective parts produced in his production plant. Joe was found innocent and his friend and neighbor, Steve Deever, was blamed for the shipment of the defective parts.
One member of the family, Larry Keller, had been missing since the war, but Kate still believes he’s alive. Larry’s old girlfriend, Ann Deever (Christina Flynn), who is also Steve’s daughter, is staying at the Keller house. She has returned from a visit to her jailed father.
Unbeknownst to Kate, Chris and Ann plan on getting married, which does not sit well with Ann’s brother, George (Dylan Stuckey). George stops by the Keller household after he had visited his father in jail and realized Joe’s guilt and connection to the death of the pilots.
The show is full of incredible and authentic performances. Particular standouts include Samantha Rosentrater and Brian Sage. Dylan Stuckey’s portrayal of the troubled and angry George is also outstanding. The scenic design by Jared Cole accentuates the emotional atmosphere created by the actors’ performances.
Director David Magidson sought to present the show as Arthur Miller would have imagined it, and the result is quite outstanding.
“All My Sons” plays at the Hilberry Theatre through May 16.
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